Newbie with a 81SC Chopster/Speedster

[philipbolek]

Hello,

I have been visiting/learning from this site since April of this year, that is when I bought the 81SC that was already chopped and included the clamshell. I have since had repainted, dings and dents removed as well as antenna hole filled. I have almost finished with the front end just need a few caps for the headlights. Waiting on taillight lens as well as trim for the rear. Trying to restore the center reflector. The top is made of canvas stretched over the original targa top and supported in the rear by linkagage/clamshell hinge body reinforcement. (a 2" tube running from side to side, bolted to the interior metal. The top linkage as well as clamshell hinge are on the tube brackets. This is where I am kinda of lost on going forward. Do I try and fab/modify a regular convertible frame top or continue using the targa top. I like the look of both, flat and bows. This will also dictate the shape of the door windows. The ones I have are plexiglass fitted for this top. I am also starting on fabricating new door panels with the help of previous posts.
The engine has 212000 + mile on it. I bought it off of ebay, unseen and undriven for $7500. Everything that is there/installed works and although I have not driven it much, the engine, gearbox and clutch seem very strong. Unsure of maintenance or rebuilds as the PO bought it from Hawaii to flip here in California....I am guessing as he knew nothing about the car, could not even intall the top for transport as he "just didnt know how". If the engine continues to run strong, great. If not I will probably buy a used 3.0 to install while the original is rebuilt.
Thats the scoop, even if I have to install a lower mile engine....$12,000+ total invest minus my time. I am happy to date but know disappointment as I am also a British car nut. My first Porsche, my first air-cooled engine.
Sorry so long, if anyone has any advice or suggestions for the top or possible suppliers, please feel free to respond. Please feel free to respond with any comments as well. Thanks for looking, I do really enjoy reading the technical blogs and projects on this site and I am sure to need advice in the future.
Thanks, Philip

[Dueller]

Welcome Philip...unique 911. I like the look of a speedster on a non-turbo look car. There are a few guys here who have built their own speedsters...some even building longhood speedsters. Here's a link to one, but he is building a fairweather only car. Cutting up my early 911 - project speedster cont. Use the search with terms like "speedster top" or the like and you'll find a few similar projects.

Is the windsheild chopped or has someone installed a factory speedster frame? If factory, there is aftermarket speedster 'glass tops available but very pricey I would assume. Plus, if I'm not mistaken the speedster doors/windows are slightly different than cab or targa's. Here's an intersting top I saw in here...longhood speedster with glass top:



Wish I could help with ideas on top but alas I'm not that well versed. At first blush I would guess cutting down a stock convertible frame would be a big undertaking and difficult to get to fold/fit properly. Maybe try find a repro 'glass top for a convertible and chop it to fit? Somebody here had some he built and sold. I dunno.

Keep us posted with developments.

[benp911]

I would install a speedster windshield and get an aftermarket speedster top

[philipbolek]

Thanks.
Dueller, I am unsure if the windshield frame is chopped stock or a replacement from like say a Miata. I would think cutting the original frame plus the glass to be the least option. So I am unsure. I do know that it is not a Speedster windshield. The frame was originally painted black to mimic the Speedster but I had it painted white. If anyone knows how or what this windshield/frame is...all thoughts welcome. The targa top latches and top of windshield frame look like original, mated pieces.
I plan on keeping this windshield but would like to know what it came out of so a replacement can be sourced if necessary. I would consider putting a original Speedster windshield on if one became available at a reasonable price. (lay-ed off last month from my of job five years......gotta watch the money but am happy to have the time to work on my "projects".)
Would also like to build a sub-frame or latching system for the clamshell, the one on there only allows the shell to open/tilt to the front. I would like something with possible opening in both directions plus a quick disconnect....maybe 1/4 turns. The current one is simple and works.....for now it will stay the same, maybe just improve/enhance.
Thanks, heres a couple of pics of the pivot point for the clamshell & top-frame. Tube runs to other side of car.

[Kevin Stewart]

I think you have the same roof i have just with a chopped windshield. i need to see the clam and a better picture of the frame, mine is a rfk and pretty sure yours is to, Kevin

[Kevin Stewart]

yes you have the same top pretty rare anyway the straight bar that swivels is supposed to turn and but up against the back of the window with foam, Kevin

[Won]

Welcome to the board! This is interesting. The windshield frame does look like it's "shortened" by cutting away a section of the a-pillar. The base of the frame where it meets the cowl looks stock. Also interesting is what appears to be a targa top frame reused in the cab top.

There should be markings on the bottom corner of the windshield to help identify it. It could be a ground down stock glass.

What's the story on the red car next to the 911? Is it a Europa?

[robert walsh]

Welcome, I watched that car come on and off ebay for quite some time, as I remember there was, what seemeb to be quite a bit of filler in the front 1/4's. I'm interested to hear how the body was when stipped for paint. He was firm for a while at 10k, just couldn't pull the trigger at that price. I love the speedster idea, and being an '81 conversion, there is no reason not to complete the project. Most people I have talked to about it have modified a stock '83 convertiblle frame, the problem is what you've got which is the windows and a decent custom convterible canvas to fit. From what I remember it also came with the rear speedster bubble, which are difficult to find. A nice '89 speedster roof frame would be ideal but very rare and very expensive, providing the rake of the windshields wrer identicle otherwise back to fabrication. At 7.5k it's a great start to an impressive end.

[Buckterrier]

Welcome to the forum, nice car.

[philipbolek]

Thanks again all for the responses.
Kevin, what is RFK? Supplier? if so are they still around? Would like to see if bracket upgrades are available.

Won,
Yeah I am unsure if this windshield is cut, if so they did a nice job re-welding back together because I cant seem to find any seams. On the lower right side of the windshield the markings are:
Viracon
Tinted
Safety Float
ASIM 50 DOT 129
The top of the frame seems also to be stock as the Targa top aligns and latches correctly. The red car is a 74 Jensen Healey. I will probably use parts of the door window tracks from a spare JH for the 911 doors. The JH is the next project when the 911 is somewhat done.

Robert,
Thanks, this car did/does not have any filler. There was a tear in the drivers fender right below the fuel door. I had it welded closed. There was also quite a bit of dings and waves throughout the body. The PO didnt sell when he listed back in April, I contacted him and offered him $7500 total. This included transport from LA to Sacramento. $1400 for body and paint work. So I am pretty happy so far with the results given the $ put in......so far. Did the 83 Cabs use the Targa top for the convertible? Did the 83 windshield frame have the same locating tabs as a Targa windshield frame? I will get a few pics of the windshield frame/glass and post.

Mark, thanks!! Hopefully with the assistance of this site I will have a happy journey with this car and continue to learn and pass on. I like the look of the car.

Thanks again all, Philip

[philipbolek]

Picture of drivers side a post.

[robert walsh]

Phillip, I have an '83 cab any help identifying any parts I can do for you, as it sits in my garage. Sorry not sure about wether or not the securing mechanism is the same as a targa, I believe not. The '83 cab is identicle to the newer cerrara convertble (frame and top) I believe, less the power motor. I apologize for not being 100% sure about this, breifly looked into the speedster conversion and it got way to complicated and pricey. Looks like your well on your way, keeps us posted. You cleared up the filler question, looked bad in his pic's, nice to weld good metal rather than deal with bondo or rust. Congrats on a fine looking ride. With 21k on the odo any idea if the case has ever been split? Got a friend with 345k with only the top done about 100k ago, the 3.0 is as we all know very durable with grat longevity.

[philipbolek]

Thanks Robert, I need to find out who RFK is to see if replacement tops are available, if so I will probably continue along this route. The stars would have to align for me to find an original Speedster windshield & top at the price I can afford. The windshield is either chopped or the original header from the original frame welded back in.....seems unlikely. Has to be chopped and the glass cut. I will post better pics once the weather gets a little better and brighter. I am super happy so far with this car, its a good project for a good car. I cant go backwards so I will make the best out of what I have. The 200K+ on the engine is a concern, but I have had no problems until recently when the starter started missing. Only mechanical issue so far. When body/interior work is done I will perform as much maintenance on the engine/drivetrain without having to remove. I pretty much will not fix anything until it breaks, just try to prolong it also. If upgrade parts become available at the right time, I will do this as well as restore the respective areas. (want new rotors/calipers, I would clean up the entire wheel well while in there) I have to believe that what ever was going to break has done so already and been repaired. If I can get 10 to 20K more miles I will definitely be happy and search for a lower mileage replacement while the original gets rebuilt.....ten year process for me! I have no documentation or history on the motor.
Thanks for the comments and anymore advice that can be offered is happily accepted.

[Kevin Stewart]

Im not sure the name is rfk but they have been out of business a long time, i have an original mounting instruction please share more pictures of the clam, the top is a reworked 993 top, Kevin email me ill give you my number if you like and i can tell ya more stew09@aol.com